ljamison01's reviews
1104 reviews

Axe Backwards by Daphne Elliot

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the fourth book in the Maine Lumberjack series. I have only read one other book in this series. This book focuses on Noah and Victoria, two people who think of others before they think of themselves. Noah is a single dad who is recovering from a tragedy and trying to reconnect to his family. Victoria is his neighbor. She is a recently divorced and her ex-husband is marrying her younger sister. She immediately falls in love with Noah’s daughter Tess and her and Noah begin a great friendship. This book is a slow burn. The friendship aspect of the book is great and the way the characters evolve and become stronger and confident is amazing but the romance aspect happens much later. I enjoyed the book and the writer really created characters who we can relate to and cheer on to become their best selves. I think I may need to go back and read the first two books in this series. 

The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is a very cute angsty novella. Everly goes to her home town after she is sent an invitation to the kiss lottery. She doesn’t know who sent it but she is curious. Her life is currently in a bad place. The lawyer that she was dating has broken up with her and she is feeling a little lost. So she decides to go home. Home unfortunately was the happiest place the last time she was there. As a senior someone got a hold of her diary and exposed her crush on best friend (Beckett). It wouldn’t have been so bad but she was dating Beckett’s best friend and it was the night of the championship basketball game. The two men kept their friendship and left Everly. However, she’s back and getting mysterious gifts and she’s put herself into the kiss lottery. Will she end up with Beckett? Is he really sending her the gifts? Enjoy this fast paced novella as Everly tries to reunite with Beckett and research the kiss lottery ghost story. 

What About Now? by Kaylee Ryan

dark emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is the fourth book in the Everlasting Ink series. I am definitely a serial reader. I enjoy reading several books about a group of interconnected friends or family members. I also detest coming into a series in the middle (which I did). I haven’t read the three previous books and I do feel as if I missed some good stuff. So I will go back and read the first three books. This book focuses on Brogan and Maddox. Apparently for the past previous books these two have been circling around each other, feeling sparks and attraction but refusing to do anything about it. Maddox isn’t known for dating or having long term relationships so he wants to avoid the messiness of a breakup. So when Maddox and Brogan are in Vegas celebrating the marriage of her sister and his friend they do what everyone does get rip roaring drunk and marry each other. Maddox is ecstatic, he unconsciously did what he’s been thinking of, he married Brogan. He wants to stay married and work on making her fall in love with him. Brogan is horrified, she wants an immediate annulment although she really cares for him. Brogan and her sister have been involved in a trauma that has really affected them and they are both in counseling to help them recover. So the majority of the book is about Brogan learning to trust Maddox and learn to accept that she deserves happiness and love. Maddox is the ultimate book boyfriend because he goes to all lengths to prove to Brogan he is there for her. Truly a lovely story, which is why I need to read the previous three books. 

The Carver by Penelope Sky

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

In this second book of the Fifth Republic we have Bastien and Fleur still trying to work things out. Fleur is trying to divorce her husband who won’t let her go. Fleur is doubting that she wants to be all in with Bastien since he has basically told her I’m all in so you need to be all in. So the first part is Fleur’s struggle to decide can she be all in. The next part of the book really gives us some background on Bastien and why he is the way he is. This section was really vital to understanding the conflict between him and his brother which I assume will resolve in the next book. The book ends with Bastien defending Fleur and starting a war in the Fifth Republic. 
Bastien reminds me so much of Bartholomew (from the book Barbarian) a man who is so upfront and transparent you can’t help but love them. For the woman they love they lay it all on the line. They are willing to go all in and give their all. Penelope Skye has this amazing ability to create male characters who are tough, morally grey, tender and arrogant all rolled together and yet we love each and every one of them. I love her books not just because she writes amazing stories but because her male characters are men I would love to know. 

Irreversible by Chelley St Clair, Jennifer Hartmann

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book kept me utterly captivated. The first chapter confused me but of course it was explained later. Everly is a petite model who has just gotten her big break. She’s a bug enthusiast (an entomologist) and she thought she would work in this field. Her husband is her agent and she is suddenly very popular and in demand. On a big night where they are celebrating they return home and she is kidnapped. Fast forward 2 years later and Isaac is the new prisoner locked in next door to Everly. Isaac is a retired police officer who has been trying to locate and take down this group who is responsible for missing people. Isaac wants as much information from Everly that he can get so that they can plan their escape. Everly doesn’t really want to get attached to another person who will be gone soon. She’s experienced too much loss. These two people have to rely and support each other and hope they can escape.  It was somewhat reminiscent of “Still Beating” but the main characters were strangers. It’s a gripping dark story that I enjoyed. 

Bourbon Summer by Walker Rose

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the 5th book in the Bourbon Canyon series. This is the first book that I have read in the series. 
Ruby is blindsided by her ex boyfriend and her ex friend when they invite her to their wedding. She doesn’t want to admit that she is alone so she invents a relationship with her boss Tenor. So Tenor agrees to be her plus one and of course fake dating soon becomes real dating. Tenor is a quiet guy who prefers to be in the back making sure things go right. He’s a little bit of a nerd or geek. He’s not what we usually like in our lead male character. But, I quite enjoyed this kind of guy. Now Ruby is the opposite. She’s optimistic and happy. She’s always looking for the silver lining in every situation. So when these two very opposite people together (who truly already have a little bit of a crush on each other ) sparks fly. Very sweet small town story. I may go back to read the first couple of books to understand some of the back stories. 

Right the First Time by Kristen Vail

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is a sports jock and nerd love story. This is the first book in the Schafer U series and this is my first book by this author. In this book we have Cam a football player who is confident, kind and sensitive. Now Lenni, is a studious person who is passionate about her education and not on dating the football star. Both Lenni and Cam haven’t had the best family support growing up. Whereas, Cam  seems to manage better  Lenni just tries to get away from her family. Lenni had a hard time in high school and her troubles seemed to follow her into college. She had a lot of issues with trust and her self confidence. Cam was extremely patient and loving and he gave her the confidence she needed. This was an incredibly sweet story of two people who had difficulties and how they learned from each other so that they could grow emotionally and depend on each other. 

Comeback by Rebecca Jenshak

emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the third book in the Holland Brother series and i have read 2 of the three books. This one focuses on Brogan and a sister that he never knew he had. Sabrina was adopted, and neither one knew  about the other until Sabrina tracked him down. Archer was extremely suspicious of Sabrina and he wasn’t very nice or pleasant at first. He was protective of his brother. When Sabrina needed a place to stay while trying to open her dance studio, Brogan invites her to stay with him and Archer. While in close quarters Archer gets to know Sabrina and see that she doesn’t intend to harm Brogan. He stops being so mean and begins to help her in her quest to open her studio. I loved when books do an excellent job representing a community (deaf) in a such a way that we all can learn and appreciate them. In these trying times we live in, I enjoyed the inclusion of a deaf person because everyone deserves to love and be loved. 

The Life We Left Behind: A Second Chance, Small Town Romance by Piper Wylde

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the first in the Willowbrook series and we have the Farrington family which is a really messed up family. Delaney and Trace (Farrington) use to date and were quite involved.  They planned to leave their small town and run away and starve together. Trace comes from a very wealthy family and needless to say they didn’t think that Delaney was the right choice for their son. Delaney leaves and has a son Cade and lives in the city raising him along with her aunt and her best friend. The death of a family member prompts Delaney to return home to her small town. Although she would like to hide who the father of her son is, it is impossible since he looks exactly like his father. The Farrington sons have all left their small town house and abandoned the family except for Trace. Now Trace some other issues with his ex wife. This small town story moved a good pace, had some spice and featured a really dysfunctional family that will certainly impact the remaining books and brothers in this series. I’m hoping Blake, Delaney’s best friend finds herself a partner in one of those books, she was an amazing side character. 

Seeing You by Samantha Chase

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This is the fourth book in the Donovans :Sweetbriar Ridge. This book focuses on Marcus and Billie. These two have been together since 9th grade. They left the small town together to make their way as financial big wigs. Billie apparently was a genius at finance however, she left her career and Marcus and came back home to her small town because her family needed her. Marcus was incredibly hurt and these two haven’t spoken in years. Marcus comes home to help his brother with their father. He is convinced to go visit the bakery/cafe/bookstore where Billie bakes goods. Billie is beyond shocked to see Marcus. Now a lot is going on, all of Billie’s siblings are married and beginning their families and Billie is starting to feel as if she is missing out. Marcus is a complete grump and seems to hold his resentment about Billie so tightly to his chest he is unable to move on and find happiness. This was a cute book but it lacked real depth. It felt like a real honest discussion between them would have cleared the whole thing up. Marcus appeared to be so uptight and formal it was hard to imagine him with warm, compassionate Billie. This has been a great series, this book is good just not as great as the other books in this series.